ASC Coding, Billing & Collections

Industry analysts are speculating that Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana could merge after two judges recently blocked their previous mergers, Reuters reports.

More physicians than expected are offering end-of-life counseling services, according to newly released CMS data, AZ Central reports.

Kansas legislators took the first steps towards expanding the state's Medicaid program when Rep. Dan Hawkins (R-D. 100) agreed to have a debate and committee vote on the issue next week, The Wichita Eagle reports.

To ensure a smooth transition to the Trump administration, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.),  House Freedom Caucus chairman, said he would be open to continuing cost-sharing subsidies and reinsurance payments before the government reaches a long-term plan, The Hill reports.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he'd fight any attempts Republicans make to privatize or cut back Medicare, Syracuse.com reports.

A Chicago-based Accenture survey claims virtual healthcare services are in high consumer demand.

Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia blocked the proposed merger between Indianapolis-based Anthem and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna, the New York Times reports.

If the GOP follows through with its plan to fully repeal the ACA, The Economic Policy Institute's Josh Bivens, director of research, estimates the repeal would get rid of 1.2 million jobs in 2019, according to the News Observer.

President Donald Trump's administration wants CMS to use its vast buying power to force pharmaceutical companies to lower their drug prices, NPR reports.

A bill to shut down the state of Colorado's ACA exchange cleared the state Senate Finance Committee with a three-to-two vote, The Denver Post reports.